Egypt — Weather

Egypt’s weather is quite varied with temperatures and climates differing from north to south. The climate is also largely influenced by the nearby Sahara Desert, which means that travelers can generally expect hot and dry conditions. The Mediterranean Sea tends to bring cooler temperatures in the north, while the heat of the south can become debilitating.

Summer spans June to August and is not always pleasant, especially in the south. Hot and dry, temperatures on the Mediterranean coast peak at 88°F and get all the way up to 122°F in Aswan in the south. Tourists who are in Egypt at this time should be particularly careful to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Winters provide some respite and are not particularly chilly. November to February conditions are overcast and mild with little rain, except on the coast. Temperatures drop no lower than 40°F country-wide, with the exception of the desert regions which can become bitterly cold at night.

March and April bring with them the khamsin wind. This hot and dusty gale can be unpleasant at its mildest and makes seeing Egypt’s ancient sites rather difficult. Coming straight from the Sahara Desert, winds can reach speeds of up to 93 mph, turning the sky dark and the houses orange.

Best Time to Visit Egypt

Peak season in Egypt is in winter between November and February, which is reflected in both the crowds and the prices. Low season is in summer between June and August when temperatures become completely unbearable. The best time to visit would be on the fringe months, February to March and October to November. During these periods, the weather is more mild, the crowds have dissipated and the khamsin winds have not yet obscured everyone’s view.